‘Don’t sabotage 2024 budget passage,’ senate warns MDAs
Senate has warned ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) of the Federal Government against stalling a quick passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill through defence antics..
Senate President Godswill Apkabio who gave the warning in his address at a one day retreat on 2024 Appropriation Bill in Abuja organised by the Committee on Appropriations , said this has become imperative against the backdrop of the Upper Chamber’s resolve to maintain the January to December budget cycle.
Senator Akpabio, who was represented by deputy president, Barau Jibril at the event which had as its theme; “Budget and Budgetary Processes: Delivering improved outcome of 2024 Appropriation Bill, stressed that the Red Chamber will not tolerate lackadaisical attitude from government functionaries at the MDAs during budget defence.
According to the senate president, ‘the consequences of sabotaging the envisaged passage of the 2024 budget by any top official of any MDAs may not be palatable for the official or agency in the eventual passage of 2024 Appropriation Bill.’
Akpabio who noted that the 2024 appropriation bill was undoubtedly an event of significant national importance, said the importance was rooted in the fact that it was another step in the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring an all-inclusive budget process for greater national good and achieve the nation’s commitment to Jan – Dec budget cycle.
He commended the Chairman and members of the appropriations committee, for opening up the 2024 budget process for stakeholders’ engagement and feedback through the one-day retreat.
Akpabio expressed confident that such continuous partnership and deliberations would add substantial value to the nation’s legislative work of enacting laws for good governance and the interest of our people.
“We understand that the budget is about fiscal targets, resource allocation, public expenditure policy, productivity and efficiency. We also understand that the process is one of passage, mobilisation and execution, as well as, effective monitoring and evaluation,” Akpabio said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, said the retreat would afford stakeholders the opportunity to contribute meaningfully toward the realisation of the renewed hope budget 2024.
He said the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that there was value for every fund appropriated in 2024 budget.
